Scuba is a fun and challenging activity that allows people to explore the underwater world. It requires specialized equipment that includes a mask, snorkel, breathing apparatus and a buoyancy control device (also known as a BCD). The equipment helps divers stay below water longer by controlling their buoyancy. This makes scuba a great recreational activity that offers many physical benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, stronger muscles and increased lung capacity. It also helps improve mental wellbeing by allowing people to focus on something other than everyday worries and stresses.

The main components of scuba diving include a gas cylinder with compressed air or Nitrox (an oxygen-enriched combination of 64-68% nitrogen and 32-36% oxygen). This is carried in an aluminium cylinder on your back. You can’t breathe directly out of this cylinder because it is too high pressure for your lungs, so there is another piece of equipment called a regulator. This consists of two stages that convert the high-pressure compressed air into intermediate and then low-pressure breathable air for you to breath on demand.

A diver’s safety is a top priority when diving. Having the right equipment, following basic safety protocols and adhering to depth restrictions help ensure that scuba is safe for all divers. Many of these precautions are meant to prevent the formation of nitrogen bubbles in the body, which can lead to decompression sickness or even death. To avoid this, divers should not descend more than one meter per second or ascend more than three meters per second.